Chapter 2: Friends with Benefits?

One Year Later, Two Weeks Till the Wedding

Guinevere Degrance is seated at her desk fixing her hair, her mocha-colored curls are pinned back into a bun, but as always a few unruly curls always manage to escape her hair pins. She is in her office going over some last minute wedding details for her sister's big day. She just needs to call her brother Elyan to confirm when he'll be flying in. She picks up her office phone and dials her brother the phone rings five times before he answers the phone.

"Hello?" He says sleepily from the other side of the phone.

"Hey Elyan it's Gwen."

"Hey sis what's up?"

"Were you asleep?"

"No." He lies. "I been up a while."

"God you are a terrible liar. Anyway I need to confirm what time are you flying in?"

"Um I'm not sure. Hold on a sec." He turns away from the phone and calls out for his assistant questioning his flight plan.

"Okay my plane should arrive about noon four days before the wedding."

"That sounds perfect. Well, I have your room booked at the hotel and I have a list of approved songs you can choose to sing at the wedding."

"Approved songs? You and Freya don't trust me to be appropriate?" He asks pretending to have his feelings hurt.

"Absolutely not! That's why we made a list."

Gwen gazes up from her desk to see a tall slender woman with raven-black hair and ivory skin with bright red lipstick standing outside her door. Morgana Le Fay Gwen's best friend since high school, and the company's investment strategist and accountant at Degrance Dynamics knocks at her open office door and Gwen bids her to enter.

"That's just wrong." Elyan says laughing.

"Well you'll survive I gotta go. I love you and I'll see you soon."

Morgana chips in. "Hey is that E-Smoove?"

Elyan laughs hearing Morgana's voice. "Tell Morgana I said hi and that she'll always be my baby girl." He says playfully.

Gwen rolls her eyes and says. "Elyan says hi and that you'll always be his baby girl."

"Aww he's so sweet. Tell him um, oh tell him that he'll always be my big daddy." Morgana responds with a smile.

Gwen scoffs. "There is no way in hell I saying that to my brother!"

"What?" Elyan asks from the phone. "What did she say?"

"Nothing." Gwen lies.

Morgana walks over to Gwen's desk and smiles. "Fine I'll tell him myself." She hits the speaker phone button on the phone.

"Hey Big Daddy!" Morgana says.

"Morgana what's up baby girl? How you been?" He asks.

"Good really good actually I ..." Morgana is cut off.

Gwen interrupts. "I have work to do, so um you too need to catch up later. Wrap it up!"

"Oh bossy!" Elyan teases.

"She always like this I think she needs to get laid." Morgana suggests, and her and Elyan laugh.

"Okay this call is over. Goodbye Elyan." Gwen commands.

"Later Big Daddy." Morgana adds irritating Gwen.

"Bye sis. Bye Morgana." Elyan laughs as he gets off the phone.

Gwen rolls her eyes at Morgana. "Really, do the two of you really have to act like that?"

Morgana feigns hurt. "What do you mean?"

Gwen is staring daggers at her friend.

"Oh alright it's just a bit of fun. You know I'll always have a special place in my heart for your brother."

Gwen rolls her eyes again. "I know but still. Everytime the two of you get together y'all always act up."

"You just need to lighten up. I love Elyan he was my first after all."

"I know but it still doesn't mean I want to talk about it."

"And my second, third, fourth." She sighs wistfully reminiscing. "And my fifth, sixth and.."

"Enough! I get it you and my brother got it on a lot, it doesn't mean I want to hear about it."

Morgana laughs at her friend she loves seeing her flustered. " Oh come on Gwennie you know I love you."

"Shut up Morgana." Gwen says trying to keep her face serious until the both burst with laughter. "Flirting with my brother what would your girlfriend think?"

Morgana shrugs as if she doesn't care. "Morgause understands my need to keep our relationship cool, so we agreed to keep our relationship open. And she also understands that I am still very much attracted to men."

"And how does that work again?" Gwen asks.

"Morgause is a lesbian and I am bi. She can hook up with other people and so can I as long as we let each other know first."

"Uh huh." Gwen says unconvinced.

"Oh judgements from lil miss friends with benefits?" Morgana says with a grin.

"That was over a year ago. And I haven't hooked up with Gwaine or anyone else in year."

"Oh see I knew it. I knew you needed to get laid. A year. No wonder you've been such a bitch lately."

Gwen gasps and says. "Oh that rich coming from the sluttish woman I know."

"Hey I never denied it. Besides you could learn a few tricks from me."

"Whatever." Gwen smiles laughing at her friend. "Oh do you have those earnings reports?"

"Got them right here boss." She hands Gwen the documents and they discuss the strategies for their next earning quarter.

Twenty minutes into the reports, a knock at the door brings their attention to Gwen's personal assistant Mithian. Mithian is a lot shorter than Morgana, she has the same ivory complexion and her hair is dark brown and wavy but she keeps it pulled back into a ponytail.

"There's a call for you Ms. Degrance." Mithian states.

"Oh who is it?" Gwen questions.

"Um he wouldn't say. I tried to get a name but he refused to give his. What should I do with the call?"

Gwen thinks for a moment who would be calling her and not leave their name.

"Send the call through please."

"Yes Ms. Degrance."

"And Mithian call me Gwen." She corrects.

"Yes M- Gwen." Mithian says smiling.

Mithian returns to her desk and sends the call to Gwen's office. The lights on Gwen's phone flashes and she clicks the call over to speaker.

"Hello this is Guinevere Degrance." She answers the phone.

"Esmerelda!" A voice calls from the phone.

Gwen can't help the smile that comes to her face. Morgana gives her a cheeky grin nodding her head up and down.

"Hi Gwaine." Gwen replies dryly.

"Hey come on Esmerelda is that anyway to treat and old friend?"

Gwen laughs. "Alright hello Gwaine." She says in a mockingly sweet voice. "Whatever can I do for you today?"

"Ha ha funny. I want to take you to lunch today, do you have any plans?"

"Um well I um yes I'm going to lunch with Morgana today at noon."

Morgana's mouth drops open in shock. "Gwen we don't-" Morgana starts.

Gwen mouths the words shut up now silencing Morgana, and she doesn't say another word.

"Oh that's too bad. Well how about dinner Gwen I know you don't have any dinner plans." Gwaine says hopefully.

"Actually she doesn't." Morgana speaks up refusing to look at Gwen on purpose. When Morgana finally glances at her friend she sees her mouth the words I'm going to kill you.

"Hey is that Morgana? How are you?" He asks.

"Pretty good how bout yourself?" Morgana replies.

"I can't complain. So you still into women then?" He questions.

"You have absolutely no tact you know that!" Gwen says frustrated.

"Sorry." He apologizes but he continues to laugh.

"How is it that I got landed with the two most annoying people in the world as my best friends?" She wonders.

"Bad luck?" Gwaine suggests.

"Karma. definitely karma." Morgana observes.

"Anyway what time do you want to get dinner?" He asks.

"I don't know if I feel up to dinner tonight." She admits.

"Aw come on Esmerelda when was the last time we hung out?"

"Last weekend we meet up with your friends from work at that nightclub? Gwen states.

"Yeah I know that but when was the last time me and you hung out? Alone."

Gwen thinks about and she doesn't really remember things have been so busy with work and Freya's wedding.

Gwaine breaks her train of thought. "If you have to think about it's been too long. What time do you get off work?"

Gwen breathes out. "I should be finished here about six." She tells him checking her schedule.

"Say yes Gwen, I will call and get us a table at the Italian place you love downtown." He tells her.

"Oh Giovanni's, sounds good. I'll see you there at seven."

Morgana calls out."Goodbye Gwaine."

"Bye Morgana. See you later Gwen."

"Okay bye."Gwen hangs up the phone.

Morgana is staring at her watching her every move. Gwen is busy filing the earnings report to notice her friends strange behavior.

Gwen finally looks up surprised to find her best friend smiling like an idiot. "What is it?" She ask confused.

"So what are you wearing for tonight?"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Gwen looks down at the two piece navy blue pinstripe pant suit she is wearing. The pinstripe color is a pale lavender so she's paired it with a lovely lace trimmed lavender camisole. She thinks she looks fantastic the pants are wide legged and stylish what is Morgana talking about.

"I'm working my Olivia Pope office wear glam. I'm a gladiator in a suit. I know I look good, damn good."

"Well yeah I'm you look great fantastic for the office but for a date. You should change."

"It's not a date Morgana. It's dinner, dinner between two friends."

"Uh huh."

"Don't you have some work to do?"

"Oh fine I can take a hint."

"Good now get out." She says playfully.

Morgana gets up from Gwen chair and heads back for her office. At the doorway she pauses and turns back to her friend.

"Sushi."

Gwen looks up at Morgana not hearing what she said. "What was that?" She asks.

"Sushi." Morgana states again.

"Girl what are you talking about?"

"For lunch I'd like sushi."

Gwen thinks for a moment. Sushi does sound good. "Yeah that sounds really good."

"And you're paying since it was your idea." Morgana says laughing as she leaves Gwen's office.

"Fine." Gwen laughs.

Just Dinner

Gwen arrives at Giovanni's about 25 minutes later than she expected traffic was hell. She did not take Morgana's advice and change clothes because she was certain that this was not a date. Just two friends getting some grub. Two buds going for some chow or at least that is what she told herself.

When she arrived she could see Gwaine had already been seated at their table and he waved over to her as she followed the waiter over to their table. She takes her seat and Gwaine smiles at her sweetly.

"Gwen you're running late. I thought you stood me up." He says pretending to be hurt.

"Sorry traffic was crazy. I honestly thought I could make it out in time.

"That's okay you're here now."

"Yeah." She says slightly put off by the look he's giving her. "What's wrong?" She asks.

"Nothing's wrong. You just look great."

She returns his smile. "Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself."

They order dinner and continue with talking as they nibble on bread sticks. A few minutes later the waiter returns with their orders. Gwen choose a Caesar salad and a half order of lasagna and Gwaine eats a steak medium rare with veggies. The dinner is amazing and Gwaine offers her desert he declines stating that she is stuffed. He calls for the check and the waiter returns Gwen pulls out her wallet to pay for her part of the meal.

"Gwen I invited you out. Put your money away."

"But I don't mind I can..."

He cuts her off. "I'm paying I told you I'm paying. Don't be so stubborn all the time Gwen."

"Fine." She mutters putting her wallet back inside her purse.

They leave the restaurant and he walks her to her car opening the door for her. She thanks him and buckles her seat belt.

"I'll follow you home." He tells her and she tells him it's not necessary but he insists.

They arrive at her penthouse apartment in a few moments and she stops in front of the parking garage.

"Thanks Gwaine I had a lot of fun tonight."

"Oh I'm not going yet. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't see you up to your door at least." He says grinning.

"Gwaine honestly you really don't have to."

"I know I just want to make sure you're safe."

"Gwaine I live in the safest most expensive apartments in the city. I'm pretty sure it's safe."

"It would help me sleep better knowing you made it to your door safe." He states giving her his most sincere smile.

"Okay Gwaine come on."

They both pull into the parking garage laughing and talking all the way up to her apartment. Gwen greets the buildings security guard, Earl and her nods his head with a smile as the couple heads to the elevators. They have to quiet down because it's almost 11:30 and she doesn't want to hear complaints from her neighbors across the hall.

"Thank you for a lovely night Gwaine. We should do this again soon."

"Yeah I'd like that." He says suprising Gwen pulling her into an unexpected hug which she returns. Then she pats him on the back and he lets her go but he doesn't move away so she steps back a bit.

"Gwaine it everything alright?"

"Well I was just thinking about us."

"What about us?" She asks.

He leans in closer and step back a bit.

"Well I have to tell you in your ear nosy neighbors."

She stares at him suspiciously as he approaches her.

"I miss us Gwen. I know you remember, because I can't forget." He whispers deep and low in her ear sending shivers up her spine. If she didn't have so much self-control she probably would have moaned out loud.

"Because I can stop thinking about you Gwen. How good you feel, how good I can make you feel, how good you make me feel."

She places her hands on his chest to push him back staring into his eyes. "Gwaine we've been over this. Are you ready for a serious relationship? Because I am. That's what I want a committed, serious, long term relationship."

He pulls away from her a bit to stand up straight. " Well no but we could take our time together."

"And do what exactly? Have endless amounts of sex while you tell me that you need more time. Or that you're not ready for a commitment yet. "

"Sounds pretty good actually. What's wrong with just sex. We have great sex, amazing sex." He wiggles his eyebrows.

She rolls her eyes at him. This is the fifth time he has brought up the subject to rekindle their friends with benefits relationship. But he has never tried to seduce her before.

"This isn't working is it?"

"Nope."

"Damn."

"We discussed this before."

"Alright Gwen no more trying to seduce you. But I mean look at you." He looks her body up and down lingering over her thick hips, thighs and her full breasts. "Sexy as ever, you can't blame a guy for trying."

"Thank you but I am glad you know when to give up." She says with a smile. "Good night Gwaine."

"Good night Gwen."

She turns the key to her door and enters her apartment closing it rather quickly behind her. He tried to seduce me I can't believe it. Gwaine is a nice guy an awesome friend and well amazing in bed. But I need more than just great sex. She thinks leaning her head against the door. She hears some shuffling outside and she looks through the peephole Gwaine is still there.

"Gwaine get off my door." She laughs watching him leaning against her door, through the peephole.

"Okay okay I going." He says with a sly grin.

She opens the door a little as she watches him walk away. One night couldn't hurt anyone. Just one more night.

"Gwaine." She calls his name and he comes running back to her.

"Yes Gwen?" He says eyeing her expectantly.

She grabs him by the collar of his jacket pulling him close to her." Boy, get in here." She says with a devilish smile.

"Your wish is my command! Damn I love it when you get all bossy." He says as he closes the door behind him and he works to disrobe her.

"Just one more night."She moans as he roams his hands over her body.

"Okay."

Kissing her passionately his sticks his tongue in her mouth and she releases the moan she has been restraining. He bites his lower lip in excitement and growls, planting hot wet kisses down her neck. He quickly removes her blazer and tosses it somewhere on the floor, exposing her bare shoulders kissing her collarbone and shoulders. Pinned against the door she slips her hands underneath his shirt tracing that toned abdomen she's so familiar with, she yank the shirt over his head barely breaking the kisses he languishing on her body. Her skin feels hot and her clothes feel to heavy against her sensitive flushed skin, the need to remove them is overpowering.

"Oh Gwaine."

"Gwen."

" Oh, Gwen."

"Gwen."

"Gwen!"

Gwen snaps out of her trance to find Morgana staring down at her. Gwaine is calling her name from the speaker phone.

"Oh sorry Gwaine what was that?" She apologizes.

"I said say yes Gwen, I will call and get us a table at the Italian place you love downtown." He tells her.

"Oh Giovanni's does sound good but I have some calls to make overseas, and I need to get up really early in the morning."

"Well some other time then?"

"Yeah some other time thanks for the offer."

"Any time we'll talk later okay."

"Sure, later Gwaine."

"Bye Gwaine." Morgana calls out.

"Bye girls." Gwaine replies.

Gwen hangs up the phone and breathes out a sigh of relief. Morgana is watching her but she says nothing. Gwen knows that a dinner with Gwaine would have never been just a dinner with friends. Since ending their sexual relationship over a year ago, Gwaine has offered to rekindle their connections but Gwen has told him that for her to find the love she wants she can keep having casual sex with him.

"So?" Morgana says.

Gwen gives her the don't go there look and Morgana raises her hands in surrender. Changing the subject Gwen asks. "How about sushi for lunch?"

"Oh I have wanted sushi all week. That sounds perfect."

WHAT? Gwen and Gwaine didn't hook up I know plot twist. It caught me off guard too. I was amazed but honestly I don't write my stories they always seem to write me. Gwen's a smart girl she wouldn't walk into a trap like that, just dinner, lol come on guys. Anyway this chapter left me with some serious Gwanevere feels. So to make it up to you lovelies I have written a smutty one-shot called Keep it casual , it's a prequel to Gwen's Wedding Date ,to satisfy those Gwen/Gwaine emotions. ENJOY!